03 July 2017

News Story: Moon's efforts for inter-Korean ties to gain pace with Trump's support

SEOUL, July 2 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in has received a boost in his push for improving inter-Korean relations as U.S. President Donald Trump has formally thrown his weight behind it, government officials and experts here said Sunday.

They emphasized it's important to follow up their summit agreement via close coordination on a more specific "road map."

In their meeting in Washington, D.C. last week, Moon and Trump agreed to leave the door to dialogue with North Korea open "under the right circumstances," according to a joint statement.

Trump also "supported President Moon's aspirations to restart inter-Korean dialogue on issues including humanitarian affairs" and hailed South Korea's "leading role" in creating the conditions for the peaceful reunification of the two Koreas.

The agreement has helped ease concerns about a possible mismatch in the allies' approach toward the nuclear-armed North.

It's apparently one of the biggest accomplishments for Moon, a liberal president who took office in early May, in his first talks with Trump.